Sakura's hands were buzzing from energy and her body blazed with adrenaline. It had been awhile since she had a battle like this, one that left her body screaming with energy and life. She scoffed at the idea that entered her mind but had to agree with it. It was one thing that she had learned from observing Gaara through this battle which really probably lasted 10 minutes so far but felt like longer. It was enthralling and made her feel alive to be in a tough fight.

She flipped clear of another tendril and her blood thirsty opponent roared in annoyance at yet another failed attempted to skewer her on his sands. She internally swore that the minute this battle was over she'd be making preparations to leave this place, but until then she had to keep alive that long.

Gaara seethed as he watched her dodge his attacks, the display had gotten old fast and now it was driving him crazy that she kept evading his strikes. Whenever he went for her feet she took to the air, whenever he struck from above she'd gracefully dodge with a roll. "Dammint.." he growled and made an attempt at her back only to meet her fist which sent the sand scattering. He felt his body tense in surprise as she charged him with alarming speed, lethal fist at the ready that, granted it hit, would no doubt send him flying with a nasty injury.

He reeled away but her fist still grazed him and he could feel the energy and power run up his arm like electricity. His skin hair standing on end as it rippled over him.

It was delicious.

He didn't get to revel in the feeling long as her experience and skill in close range combat showed when her heel dg into the sand and she spun landing a solid, hard, painful kick to his ribs. His body went flying and he hit the ground and skidded a bit before his sand caught him. The shock of her actually landing a blow had yet to leave his face or his mind, the only indication he was still conscious being that his eyes were open and the coughing from the blow to his ribs. His shock only grew when he tasted something warm and metallic in his mouth. He brought a hand up to examine the liquid and saw blood staining it. The pain in his ribs starting to settle in now as he stared wide eyed at the pink haired female now taking a readied stance a little over 200m away.

She had actually hurt him. He was actually bleeding.

He growled and stumbled up, feeling simultaneously angry, confused, shocked, and possibly even attracted to her now. Not only had she dodged and negated his attacks but she had landed a blow.

Sakura watched him not sure if she liked his new demeanor. After she had sent him flying, a satisfying sight on its own, but he looked genuinely shocked. Judging from how her foot connected with his chest and how the once hard area hand softened she assumed she had broken some of his ribs. Normally were this training or a spar between people she would be extremely apologetic however Gaara was dangerous and he had truly tried to kill her. She felt no pity or anguish for what she did, merely satisfaction.

However she was taken aback a bit when the shocked expression went back to being wild and his grin spread again. She could swear it was even crazier now and her first response was to check the area around her for oncoming attacks. She didn't see any coming from around her till she realized he was coming directly at her. Bracing herself in place her vision was blocked by yellow, or more specifically blond.

Gaara's grin dropped when one of the girls companions, came between him and his prey. Naturally it had to be Naruto. He growled and dug his heels into the ground, skidding to a stop . "Get out of the way," He growled.

"Hell no!" he said firmly, holding his ground in a defensive stance.

Gaara wasted no further time and swung at Naruto, the brat wouldn't ruin his fight This was the most exhilarating thing he had felt in a long time and he'd be damned if he let it be ruined so easily! But life wasn't so nice to him as Naruto caught the punch and Sakura swung around Naruto to land yet another blow to his chest. Sending Gaara once again flying.

"Naruto we can't kill him. He's the only defensive this place has from sand worms." Sakura said without looking at her blond friend, too busy assessing the area for oncoming assaults.

"Yeah I know," he said through gritted teeth "But what are we supposed to do? Once he gets back up he's going to come right back at us."

Sakura thought this over and relaxed "Naruto were leaving."

"…wait what?" he said looking at her confused.

"Your right, we keep this up and stay here he's only going to continue this. So were going end it permanently." She declared walking back to the town, the awakened villagers staring at her from behind the walls.

Gaara looked up and was taken aback yet again that night to see the object of his rage and excitement walking casually back to the tribe. He was up and in front of her in an instant. Grabbing her by the collar of her cloak he lifted her off the ground. "What do you think you're doing?" He snarled.

Her cool green eyes looked down at his blazing ones, looking defiant, indifferent, and proud. "We're leaving." She stated firmly.

Leaving? He thought this over. He didn't want her to leave. Not now. Not when he finally had a challenge! Here he was blood thirsty and feeling so alive and she just wanted to drop it?!

"No." he said firmly.

"Excuse me?" She said both insulted and confused.

"You're not leaving." He said with equal firmness "You're companions can leave but you're staying here."

Sakura's calm demeanor very quickly went sour. Who was he to say what she could do?! She was a veritable force of nature with her strength! She could do whatever she damn well please! Not to mention he had just wanted her to leave so badly he was whiling to kill her to accomplish it.

"Well I'm sorry to inform you that this isn't up for discussion. " she snarled.

He felt a twang in him when he saw the anger on her face and the way her lips curled into a snarl. She genuinely looked ferocious and he could feel the energy humming in her body from this distance. He was quickly coming to enjoy the proximity and the energy she gave off.

"You're right. You're going to stay." He said dropping her.

"…was that wit?" She said now staring at him with confusion and humor but still retaining the offended look on her face. "You're actually capable of wit…consider me impressed." She spat and pushed him aside. His arm bolted to grab her's a new wave of annoyance hitting him only to have Naruto grab it before it landed and give him an equally threatening look.

"Don't you dare hurt Sakura." He warned, a growl in his throat showing the beast that dwelled with him much like Gaara's did.

"What are you going to do to stop me pup?" he growled, feeling a tad jealous and annoyed at the blond, or more precisely having the annoyance resurface.

"Listen Gaara. I've known Sakura for quite some time and I swear you try and hurt her and I will not hesitate to stop you."

"What is it too you? She your woman?" he asked feeling the jealously and annoyance grow with the thought of it.

"No." Naruto growled throwing Gaara's arm to the side "She's my best firend."